The Way of Good & Evil
- Title:
- The Way of Good & Evil
- Alternate Title:
- The Way of Good & Evil
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- Hailer, John
- Date:
- 1862
- Date 2:
- 2024-04-25
- ID Number:
- 2337.01
- File Name:
- PJM_2337_01Adj.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1800 - 1869
- Subject:
- Allegorical
Heaven and Hell
Pictorial
Religion
Conduct of Life - Measurement:
- 34 diameter on sheet 43 x 36 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- The collection includes a number of maps of Heaven and Hell, from early sixteenth century images of Dante’s vision (ID ##1004.01-.07) to an eighteenth century satirical view (ID #1097) and allegorical maps of the roads to Heaven and Hell. See Subjects > Heaven and Hell. This map is in the latter category, allegorical "roadmaps" intended to encourage the viewer to act in conformity with religious norms. "'Paths to Heaven and Hell' broadsides were especially popular in the nineteenth century." Earnest 2005, 258. Some of these were included in illustrated editions of John Bunyan’s widely-published “Pilgrim’s Progress.” See, e.g.,ID #1038 (1821); ID #1055 (1850). Others were produced as separate prints; see ID #1040 (1825); ID #1054 (1847).
Little is known of John Hailer, but his "Way of Good and Evil" was recorded in the "Pennsylvania Dutch" area of Eastern Pennsylvania, where a number of broadsides on this subject were produced. See generally Earnest 2005, 252-59. However, this map differs from most others of the genre in form and substance. It is roughly twice the size of other such images, and “markedly different in its circular composition, a format apparently unique to Hailer.” https://bostonraremaps.com/inventory/1862-way-of-good-and-evil/, accessed November 20, 2017.
Most significantly, Hailer's "Way of Good & Evil" is aimed squarely and exclusively at children. The "Way" begins for all in the "School House" at the lower left. From there, two paths diverge. To the right is "Obedience to Parents and Teachers - Truth - Wisdom." This path leads first to "The House of God" and then directly to "Industry - Health - Peace - Avoiding Evil - Righteousness - Pure of Heart - Faith in Christ - Humility," with perhaps a detour to "The College." Ascending this path leads one to heavenly angels and "Eternal Life - The Word.”
The path to the left of the "School House" is one of "Disobedience to Parents and Teachers," and it leads to ruin, with visits along the way to the "House of Sin" and a saloon ("Rum"). The list of misdeeds is too long to repeat, but includes "Lusting," "Pride," "Vanity," "Ignorance," "Lying," "Cheating," "Intemperance" and "Hypocrisy." This road leads finally to a catalog of crimes - "Forgery," "Adultery," Robbery" and "Murder" - and execution at the "Gallows" in "States Prison." Those on this path end in "Destruction" and "Everlasting Punishment" at the hands of the devil in the fiery pit of Hell.
As if this broadside were not folk art enough, an early owner decorated it with four Victorian floral die-cut appliques at the corners. It's likely that this "improvement" was made in 1886 or shortly thereafter, because the applique at the upper left contains a portrait of "Mrs. Cleveland," a reference to the easily recognizable Frances Folsom Cleveland, the wife of President Grover Cleveland. Miss Folsom was only 11 upon the early death of her father, then the close friend and law partner of the President-to-be. Cleveland "became virtually her guardian," managing the estate, supervising her education, and eventually securing her consent to marriage. Graff 2002, 78. They were married in the White House in June 1886, at the beginning of his first term, when she was 21 and he was 49.
Despite her youth, Mrs. Cleveland was a huge hit with the American public, "a golden asset, because she conducted herself with uncommon aplomb and propriety" and "had a gift for dealing with people." "Whenever she appeared in public, she provoked a mob scene of curious people bent on catching a glimpse of her." Graff 2002, 81. “Jaded envoys and society mean girls” were “disarmed” by her, the public was “mesmerized” and the “media were besotted.” In short, Mrs. Cleveland was “the first celebrity first lady.” Ackerman 2014. What better for sticker sales?
For further information on the Collector’s Notes and a Feedback/Contact Link, see https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/about-collection-personal-statement and https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/feedback-and-contact - Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.